Issue No.23 AUSTRALIAN MODEL NEWS

August 2013

From the Editor Contents

In a gesture of neighbourly friendship the Nepean club 3. -1 recently invited the members of the nearby Western- port club to visit their field for a day of flying and social 4. FREE FLIGHT interaction. (see pp.12,13), SCALE MASTERS 2013

This is something of a rarity these days with most modellers not venturing from their home field and 6. BOB PEARCE’S clubs not being particularly inviting to MAAA members other than their own, an insular aspect of modelling that is isolating it’s own people. Together with the rise 8. DAVID KERR AND THE BENDIGO of numerous SIG’s and the fragmentation of the Na- COMMEMORATIVE MOTOR tionals there are now very few occasions when model- lers have the opportunity to mingle with fellow enthusi- 9. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES asts of all modelling pursuits. AND THE GRUMMAN X-47B

In my home state of Victoria a few events such as the VMAA Trophy, the OS Engines Fly-in and the NFG 10. CLASSIC AEROBATICS “Twins and More” attract attention from a wider group AT YARRA VALLEY but, in general, to meet with other modellers you now have to attend a competition held by a SIG where you 12. SUNDAY FLYING AT NEPEAN see only those who have a competitive interest in that aspect of modelling and comprise only a small per- 14. VICSCALE TROPHY 2013 centage of the modellers interested in that area of our hobby. 17. KEN OSBORNE’S

Coupled with this, rather than take part in the activities ROBBINS AND PORTER at a SIG event, there appears to be a growing determi- nation by clubs to ignore the event but to extract a fee for the use of the field. Hardly conducive to fellowship 18. SCALE AT WARRINGAH RCS and the expansion of our hobby. 20. DAVID BALFOUR’S A few more open flying days on the calendar might BOEING 40C help to reverse the trend ! 21. 50% WAKEFIELDS AT DONVALE John Lamont. 22. MODELLING ERNIE THOMPSON’S SPITFIRE This newsletter is published bi-monthly to feature scale model building and flying together with other modelling 24. RICHMOND SCALE RALLY 2013 events in . 66TH NATIONALS FREE FLIGHT SCALE AND SCRAMBLE. Contributing material and requests for inclusion on the distribution list may be forwarded to — 26. VICTORIAN FREE FLIGHT SCALE CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 John Lamont Unit 5, 1326 Main Road, Eltham, 3095 28. 66TH NATIONALS R/C SCALE Ph: 03 9431 0044 E-mail: [email protected] INFORMATION

31. THE POLIKARPOV’S OF THE ALPINE FIGHTER COLLECTION On the Cover. Barrie Reaby’s RV4 flying at Nepean after a major rebuild and demonstrating that, with a bit of skill and determination, ARF’s can be restored after a crash.

page 2 Australian Model News Barry Kilpatrick of the Twin Cities club is at it again. No sooner has he completed the Persian Fury than he has another project on the way although this time it is not quite so much a build as a Barry Kilpatrick’s restoration. The in question is a Henschel Hs 123.

The unfinished and un-flown model was built by the late Lloyd Dipple from Sydney. Lloyd was a master builder of large scale models and the Henschel is a magnificent example of his skills.

The aircraft is almost completely covered with litho plate to simu- HENSCHEL late the metal construction and is very highly detailed, both in- side and out. The model is rather heavy due to the extensive detail work (the working undercarriage is an amazing piece of model engineering) and Barry intends to lighten the model with- out diminishing any of the detail. HS 123-1 The aircraft is built to ¼ scale with a wing span of 2.3 metres and a petrol engine is planned to power the finished model, providing it can be fitted into the opening engine cowl.

David Balfour.

Australian Model News page 3 FREE FLIGHT SCALE MASTERS

2013 (Gary Sunderland)

A good crowd of free flight modellers from South Aus- tralia and Victoria gathered at the annual Scale Mas- ters event near Murray Bridge in May. Flying stated at dawn each day and the girls in the catering tent profid- ed hot breakfasts and lunches to fuel the hungry fly- ers.

As usual the ace scale flyer, Dave Putterill, turned up with another of his fantastic scale models, this time a three (electric) motor Austrian Aviatik “Grössflugzeug” of 1917 vintage. A masterpiece of workmanship and complexity this model should have won easily, but a first test flight at dawn showed a need for more side- thrust. This could not be fixed on the field so Dave was reduced to flying his six motor Blohm and Voss flying boat which had won in previous years.

A challenger from Victoria was Gary Odgers with an- other rare Austrian aeroplane, a one eighth scale Phoenix D.I powered by a 2.5cc diesel engine. Gary flew this model in the 2011 British Nationals. After Gary’s Sopwith , “Model of the Meet” winner. flying early Saturday the Phoenix flipped over on land- ing and damaged the fin, which put him out of the scale competition.

Another interesting and rare subject was an electric powered Hinkler “Ibis” flying boat. A full size replica of the Ïbis”is on display at the Hinkler Museum in Queensland.

Not quite the last scale model flying, my Sopwith Tri- plane nevertheless managed to make many good flights over the two days, to be chosen by all tcompeti- tors as the “Model of the Meet”. Powered by a PAW 1.5cc diesel and to one eighth scale the model has a good rate of climb but a steep glide which made for many flights. Good enough to keep the trophy for twelve months anyway.

Gary Odgers was awarded a prize by the organiser, dave Putterill, for his many smooth flights with his “Black Magic” sports model over the two days. Many scale and sports models flew all day Saturday and Sunday morning until the wind came up at lunchtime Breakfast at the flying field. to cease proceedings. We all had an excellent time and plan to meet again in 2014. page 4 Australian Model News Dave Putterill with his Aviatik “Grossflugzeug”.

Gary Odgers receives his award from Dave Putterill.

Electric powered Hinkler “Ibis” flying boat.

Gary Odgers with his Phoenix D.I.

Australian Model News page 5 Bob Pearce’s Hawker Hart

My model’s story. The Model. The model replicates the RAF Hawker Hart J9941 (formerly Wingspan: 1880mm (74 inches) G-ABMR) No. 57 () Squadron, now hanging in the RAF Weight: 5.5kg Hendon Museum, . Motor: Thunder Tiger Pro 91 two stroke

I purchased the model, partly constructed, from Ivan Watkins of From my investigation into the model I discovered that it was based the Manning Model Aero Club, Wingham NSW. on the RCMB Plans Service design by David Smith. As can be seen from the photo of Keith’s model it did not have the forward nose sec- The original part of the model was constructed by Keith Freeman tion. who was deceased when I purchased the model. Ivan was a friend of Keith’s and gained possession of the model from Keith’s I completed the nose, undercarriage, wing struts, cabanes and tail- widow. plane supports and added a lot more detail. The original covering was removed and the model was recovered with koverall and painted with auto acrylic as per the RAF Museum photographs. A new set of decals were also added.

As I am unable to use the model in “builder of the model” competition I have installed a Thunder Tiger Pro91 two stroke which doesn’t fit totally in the cowl.

The maiden flight was flown by Dean Erby, President of the Manning MAC, and a video showing this traumatic flight can be seen at http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=FixrcwSDs14

The prototype aircraft on display in the UK. The model as built by Keith Freeman and purchased by Bob Pearce.

page 6 Australian Model News Australian Model News page 7 David Kerr and the Bendigo Commemorative Motor I have a number of aeromodeller Throughout his life David has had friends with whom I regularly con- an interest in aircraft and has verse via Skype. Just recently been involved in aeromodelling John Moody, who resides in Tas- since childhood. He served as mania, called to ask if I could help secretary at GMAC for many with information regarding an years and still devotes a lot of his engine that previously belonged to time to teaching aeromodelling to former MAAA secretary, Chris children at local schools and scout Greenwood, and has now passed groups. In acknowledgement of into the keeping of his brother Jim this and other community work Greenwood who lives in Towns- David received an Australia Day ville. John’s question was whether Award in 2011. I knew of the 5cc. Bendigo Com- memorative Motor and its maker, Manufacture of the Bendigo Com- David Kerr. A photograph of David’s Bendigo Commemorative Motor from 1990/91. memorative Motor was entirely David’s idea and he started out I had no knowledge of the motor with the intention of making fifteen but in my Greensborough Model units using a standard lathe and a Aircraft Club we have a David vertical mill. Based loosely around Kerr who I knew to be a gunsmith the specifications of the FROG and this seemed to fit into the 500 each of the 5cc. glow plug picture of a special, small produc- engines required a considerable tion, engine. A bit of checking for amount of hand fitting and this led phone numbers led to contact with Australian Model News to the completion and sale of only Australi- David and, sure enough, he was five engines with David retaining a the designer and builder of the few more. The rest of the parts Bendigo Commemorative Motor. were consigned to a box under The chain from Townsville, the bench where they remain to Queensland to Georgetown, Tas- this day. David confirmed that the mania and on to Eltham and Bun- Motors and remaining parts still in David’s workshop. engines ran satisfactorily but were doora in Melbourne was complete only average in performance. and I arranged a visit to David to seek the story of the engine. David’s modelling interests have ranged from indoor flying to pulse David has had a varied career, jet powered control line speed starting out as an industrial chem- models and r/c gliders, with con- ist before turning his hand to siderable contest success in all teaching maths and science at areas. He was a member of an secondary school level and chem- Australian team at the Indoor istry, forensic science, hobby World Championships at Nagoya, electronics-amateur radio at TAFE and is one of the few mod- level. His interest in rifles and ellers to have had the opportunity target shooting led to an overlap- to fly a model under the dome of ping career as a gunsmith and this the Public Library of Victoria. His became his final work. Now re- jet powered models were fast tired, he still does some gunsmith- David’s speed model from the early 90’s, powered by an OS pulse jet and enough to exceed the Australian ing on a reduced scale. missing only the fuel tank. jet speed records of the day.

page 8 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

I recently received a copy of an article on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ating under first person viewing (FPV), represents a significant (UAV’s) that was published in the aerospace section of the Financial change. Quadcopters are the most popular vehicle for this form of Times. The opening paragraph states that one of the UK army’s earli- flying and there arises the problem of these aircraft, with an ability to est modern drones was so notorious for not returning from its missions hover and fly in any direction, operating in conjunction with fixed wing in Kosovo in the early 1990’s that its handlers nicknamed it “Bugger aircraft. When confined to a limited area as for helicopter operation a off”. The article continues with the concession that since then, with the UAV presents no problem but curiosity and the lure of simulating full expenditure of considerable engineering effort and very large amounts size flying using FPV demands that the aircraft be flown over a larger of money, its successor aircraft have become far more reliable. area than that set aside for helicopters at most of our fields.

We are talking about military use of complex and hugely expensive We are facing the same problem as the full size flying community with UAV’s operating in war zones or military air space in this instance but a major difference being that in full size aviation millions of dollars are already there is discussion on the possible use of UAV’s for non- spent on the development and refinement of their UAV’s whereas we military purposes. The question as to whether they are safe for flight in modellers operate with equipment and aircraft built to the much lower civil air space and the fear of an unmanned aircraft colliding with a standard determined by our market demand. jetliner, or crashing into a populated area, has led to authorities mov- ing very slowly. Logic and history says that we are already at risk when our current models take to the air and the introduction of UAV’s at our model fields In the world of aeromodelling our aircraft can all be described as only increases that risk. UAV’s but the new class of models now readily available, some oper- GRUMMAN X-47B UCAS

The US government and its contractors proceed very cautiously with UAV development.

Development Programme of the Grumman X-47B

December 2008 — prototype rolled out.

February 2011 — first flight.

May 2013 — Launched from the carrier USS George H. W. Bush in the Atlantic ocean to land at NAS Patuxent River.

Mark Smith sent these pictures of the X- 47B UCAS taken on a visit to NAS Patuxent River.

page 9 Classic Aerobatics at Yarra Valley

It’s not a long trip from Eltham to the Yarra Valley club field so when I saw that a Classic Aerobatic event was scheduled I called in to have a look at the older style models performing their flight pattern. The small turnout of models was a little disappointing but the magnificent late autumn weather and the perfect flying conditions still made it a worthwhile trip.

I missed the 70’s to 80’s era of modelling so it was interesting to see the vari- ous designs used in competition at that time. My days in aerobatics in the late 50’s and into the 60’s saw the Orion, Stormer, Taurus, Gee String, Pegasus and Sultan as the leading designs, with engines ranging from 0.35 to 0.49c.i.

It was all a far cry from the modern aerobatic model as depicted in Matt Bai- ley’s new but each era has had its leading designs that set the com- petitive trend at the time. The Yarra Valley club field in mid February. What a difference in the space of a few months!

Fernando Monge flew a 1973 vintage “Super Kaos”” designed by US aero- batic ace Joe Bridi. This modern replica flies with an OS 61SF two stroke.

Norm Morrish was flying a model which was “state of the art“ in 1972. The model, a ”Northerner” was designed and built by the late John McGrane and was a highly successful aerobatic event winner. Norm built a new to replace the oil soaked original but the rest of the model is as built in 1972. Powered by a Webra Speed 61 two stroke it flew the Classic schedule very well in Norm’s capable hands.

page 10 Australian Model News Brian Green built this replica of Phil Kraft’s “Dragonfly” a 1970 design with Cliff McIver brought two models. This one is his 1969 RCM “Expert” with a retracting tricycle undercarriage. the wing retained with rubber bands and powered by an OS 46FX.

Cliff’s other model was a “Calypso” produced in 1983 by Model Tech. Model is powered by an OS 61 Hanno Special.

David Gibbs’ “Curare” was designed by Hanno Prettner in the early 1970’s. Geoff Healey also flew a “Super Kaos” built from the RCM magazine plan. Built from a Eureka Aircraft short kit it is powered by an OS 75AX. Geoff’s model is powered by an OS61FX.

Not part of the Classic event but still of interest, this is Matt Bailey’s new aerobatic biplane brought out to the field for some practice.

Australian Model News page 11 Sunday Flying at Nepean

At the invitation of Barrie Reaby, Ian and I together with several other Melbourne modellers travelled south to the Nepean club to join in their general flying day with the Westernport club members.

It’s a long trip from the northern side of Melbourne but the friendly reception provided by the local members always makes the journey worth while.

Unfortunately the weather did not come to the party and we had sever- al showers of rain which held up proceedings. Flying continued in the intervals between showers and we enjoyed a BBQ lunch with the members of both clubs before leaving in mid afternoon for the return trip. The electric flyers prepared their models in the safety of the Nepean club- house. No short circuits with those wanted with those LiPo batteries!

The weather was not the best and a lot of time was spent sheltering from A few older modellers with one slightly younger. From left: Ian Lamont, Bill the persistent showers. Eunson, Keith Schneider, Tony Farnan and Angelo Favaloro.

page 12 Australian Model News A nice collection of models on display in the pits when the sun broke Nepean member Steve Ludlow flew his large scale ARF Cessna AG Husky through. and Pilatus Porter.

David Anderson’s unusual model powered by a Saito 60 four stroke twin.

Tony Farnan, chairman of Model Engines, is a member of the Nepean club and flew this electric powered “Tucano”.

Neville Bird’s Yak 54 showed the usual fine flying abilities exhibited by all Roly Gauman’s Pilatus Porter performed well with several demonstra- models of this aircraft. tions by the parachutist.

Australian Model News page 13 VICSCALE TROPHY 2013

The VFSAA held their annual “VICSCALE TROPHY” at the Valley Radio Flyers Shepparton on Saturday and Sunday of the Queen’s Birthday weekend. 18 competitors flew in the three classes and three rounds were flown in each class over the two days.

When an event is held north of the dividing range the weather is often better than that in the south but this year was exceptional with two days of sunshine and no wind, perfect conditions for Glen Weeks was flying this Cessna 188 AG HUSKY. scale flying.

Gary Sunderland’s Bristol Scout on a landing approach. Tony Grieger and Gary Sunderland in earnest conversation. Could the subject be WWI ?

Bill Kirk’s DH.88 Comet “Grosvenor House” is an ARF powered by two OS40 GT four stroke petrol engines. The model was flown by David Law to win the Large Scale Section of the competition.

page 14 Australian Model News David Balfour came down from Albury with his well tried Curtiss Robin. Peter Harris restrains Mark Smith’s PC.9 prior to take off.

Bob Hulett is a Twin Cities member and brought this Storch for his first Daniel Wheeler flying the family CAP 232 with father, Bill, assisting. scale competition. The Storch is a 2.4m wingspan Austar ARF powered by a 26cc petrol engine and weighs 6.7kg.

Greg Lepp’s Cessna 150 heads off into the “wild blue yonder”. Peter Harris won Flying Only with his ARF Gee Bee Model Y.

Glen Weeks’ Cessna 188 is an ARF by Austar. At 2.8m wingspan it weighs Tony Small is another ex-Sydney modeller, now a Twin Cities member, and 11kg and is powered by an OS Super Gemini 300 twin. flew the Piper L4 formerly owned by David Balfour.

Australian Model News page 15 VICSCALE TROPHY RESULTS

VICSCALE TROPHY

COMPETITOR MODEL STATIC RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 TOTAL

D. LAW D.H. VAMPIRE 2696 2529 2415 2543 5232 1

N. FINDLAY D.H. FOX MOTH 2745 2349 2534 2353 5188.5 2

D. BALFOUR CURTISS ROBIN 2288 2450 2373 2378 4702 3

G. SUNDERLAND PFALZ D.XII 2283 2002 1968 1906 4268 4

W. WHEELER DRUINE TURBULENT 1953 1772 2337 2151 4147 5

N. WHITEHEAD VOUGHT CORSAIR 2025 1981 198 2025 4118 6

LARGE SCALE COMPETITOR MODEL RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 TOTAL

D. LAW D.H.88 COMET 2436 2383 2346 2409.5 1

R. GAUMANN PILATUS PC-6 PORTER 2453 2158 2251 2352 2

T. GRIEGER PIPER CUB 2361 2188 2195 2278 3

A. MOTT CESSNA 182 2342 2067 2063 2204.5 4

G. WEEKS CESSNA 188 AG HUSKY 2078 2002 2020 2049 5

FLYING ONLY COMPETITOR MODEL RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 TOTAL

P. HARRIS GEE BEE Y 1979 2329 2411 2370 1

T. SMALL PIPER L4 GRASSHOPPER 2360 2352 2370 2365 2

N. WHITEHEAD RV4 2380 2275 2333 2356.5 3

M. SMITH PILATUS PC-9 2144 2342 2290 2316 4

R. CARRIGG SHOESTRING 2006 2387 2244 2315.5 5

G. LEPP CESSNA 150 2274 2138 2309 2291.5 6

D. WHEELER CAP 232 DNF 1962 2055 2008.5 7

G. SUNDERLAND BRISTOL SCOUT 1687 2007 1995 2001 8

W. WHEELER CAP 232 1994 1917 1956 1975 9

R. HULETT FIESELER STORCH 1995 1329 1889 1942 10

J. FINOCCHIARO 1617 1780 DNF 1698.5 11

page 16 Australian Model News That prolific builder of ‘strange’ aircraft is at it again. If you are won- dering where Ken Osborne has been lately, he has been hidden away in his workshop producing a Robbins and Porter monoplane. Ken Osborne’s Now you may well ask what is it? This aircraft is the first aircraft to be built and flown in Albury in July 1913.

Azdor D. Robbins and Alex W. Porter built the aircraft in Albury in 1911. The task had taken the two mechanics two years to construct. The engine they acquired for their aircraft was a 40 hp air-cooled Robbins and Porter horizontally opposed engine built in Melbourne by Aubrey Lock and Robbins. The aircraft had an open frame fuselage and was similar in configuration to the Bleriot X1. The engine was uncowled and drove a 7 foot diameter propeller which the two builders designed.

Monoplane The aircraft first flew on Sunday 27th July 1913 at Bungowannah Park west of Albury. It is reported the aircrafts first flight ‘took to the air gracefully ‘and flew for 200 yards. The second flight was for over 700 yards at a height of 20 feet in front of six spectators. The build- ers soon ran out of money and the aircraft was sold to the Blacklock garage, but was lost when the garage, then in Dean Street, burnt down. The engine survived the fire and eventually found its way to the Victorian State Museum.

Following their success in Albury Azor Robbins moved to the USA and was one of the founding partners in the White Truck Company, while Porter joined the AIF and later transferred to the AFC. He finally became a farmer in Nullawil, Victoria.

To celebrate this achievement Albury City Council has commis- Ken’s flying model of the Robbins and Porter aircraft was built sioned the building of a full size replica of the aircraft to be displayed from a three view prepared by the Albury Historical Society and in the Library Museum in Albury. Ken Osborne is also involved in this based on recorded dimensions and photographs of the actual project building a small static model to be displayed with the replica aircraft, taken in 1913. and is also building a large flying radio controlled model.

The model is 1/4 scale with a wingspan of 2m and will be pow- The replica display is due to open at the Museum in late July. ered by an OS 70FS four stroke engine.

Australian Model News page 17 Bruce Gould bought along his very nice clipped wing Cub and flew it in his usual immaculate style .

Scale at Warringah Col Mitchell looks very happy with Dave Foster’s winning . Radio Control Society (Mike Minty and Stan Begg)

Three days of nearly solid rain and bad weather and then Scale Day dawns bright and sunny! People started arriving before 8 am, especially those with biplanes. While it’s a great saying that “Real aeroplanes have two wings and round engines” it usually means they have a lot of rigging and extended assembly times!

After the pilot briefing George Kaley was the up very quickly but unfortu- nately his Puppeteer was also down very quickly – the carnage had be- gun. Looking down the two lines of planes you could see that, with over 30 planes entered, there would be a lot of flying and the judges would be busy.

Awards. Military. 1. David Foster Sopwith Pup 2. David Foster Piper L4 Grasshopper 3. Mike Minty He 46 4. Colin Mitchell Fokker DVIII Civilian. 1. Mike Minty Tiger Moth 2. Bruce Gould Piper J3 Cub Elie Mehanna Bell 222 helicopter 3. Clive Weatherhead Edge Andrew Biddlecombe came with a very pretty and very aerobatic ARF 4. Clive Weatherhead Piper Pawnee Christen Eagle although it was a little difficult to land in the rather wet and Best Model. muddy grass – he wasn’t the only one – it was sticky! Jim Masterton Cessna 337 and Colin Mitchell Fokker DVIII equal. page 18 Australian Model News Elie Mehanna and his Bell 222 Helicopter was the only non-fixed wing Peter Weiss had his Pilatus with a beautifully carved wooden prop. entrant and put on a good flight, staying the right way up for all of it.

Robert Kaley brought his impressive Gotha Go-244 electric twin engine, twin booms, 80” span and a new pilot. It took off and flew well, but sadly another crunch followed.

Dean Schubach had a big new Cessna but it had motor problems and couldn’t fly so he helped Doug Rowell fly his Bird Dog.

Mike Minty’s winning Tiger Moth.

Mike Exton flew his big Macchi. It was (sad sniff) an unusual plane and looked great. Dave Pound flew his newly acquired Me 109 now fitted with retracts and very impressive it looks carving up the sky.

Choice for best model of the meeting was shared with superb flights by Jim Masterton with his Cessna 337 and Col Mitchell with his Fokker DVIII.

Australian Model News page 19 David Balfour’s Boeing 40C Since I last featured some pictures of David’s Boeing 40C the build David is planning a trip to the west coast of at the time of this has progressed and is now nearing completion. The model is 1/5th writing and hopes to see the sole remaining Boeing 40C which has scale, has a wingspan of 2.8m, and will be powered by an OS 200FS been returned to flying condition by Addison Pemberton of Spokane four stroke engine. incorporating parts salvaged from the 1928 crash site of an original 40C mailplane.

page 20 Australian Model News I always like to watch the indoor flyers battle with their models against the laws of aerodynamics and the limiting ceiling of the Doncaster Indoor Stadium Complex with successful flight requiring a balance between mod- el size and weight, selection of rubber motor, and trimming skill. 50% Wakefields The reduced scale Wakefields are much larger than the other indoor models and this seems to assist in the trimming of the model. The draw- back for this larger size is the increased difficulty in controlling the model Indoors at within the confines of the walls and ceiling.

The models are often previous winners of the International Wakefield Trophy or own designs from the past days of our present flyers. It’s a nice Donvale way to fly these old designs, obviating the need to traverse open fields and jump fences when retrieving the model.

And the weather is always fine !

Colin Parker’s replica of Jim Cahill’s “Clodhopper”, winner of the 1938 Jim Fullarton’s replica of his own design Wakefield from 1949 is fitted with Wakefield Trophy. Colin’s model has a foam fuselage. a single leg retracting undercarriage.

Mike Glaister’s replica of a 1950’s Wakefield by John O’Donnell of the UK. Sean O’ Connor’s model of Gordon Light’s 1935 winner has an outstand- ing performance and regularly sets the benchmark for the other competi- tors.

Gary Sunderland’s model is a replica of an own design Wakefield from the Another of Sean O’Connor’s models is this replica of Alan Lim Joon’s 1954 early 1950’s. design.

Australian Model News page 21 New Zealand Modelling

(Peter Hewson)

Ernie Thompson of the New Zealand Kapiti Flyers has produced this fine model of the Mk.IX Spitfire from plans by Dave Platt.

Ernie’s model is 2.25m wingspan at 1/5 scale and is powered by a Super Tigre 3250 with the working scale exhaust system by Keleo Creations and cowl from Brian Taylor. The Brian Taylor supplied sliding canopy covers a very well detailed cockpit with all of the interior detail constructed by Ernie.

(Photos and details of the model in this article are reproduced from the Model Flying New Zealand website)

page 22 Australian Model News Australian Model News page 23 This was well attended with nine flyers including eventual winner Phil Mitchell, taking time out from practicing (F1A) for the World Free Flight Champs in France. Also taking time out from practice for (F1C) at the NSWFFS Champs was CD Gary Pope, who had the participants perform the traditional “Le Mans” start and made sure all watches were stopped at the one hour mark. Richmond There were of course the usual “shoulda, woulda, coulda” stories and Scale Rally included Aaron Booth with a broken wing, Matt Hannaford with broken bearers and Tahn Stowe with a broken fin mount. (See results for full scores). Once all this spectacle was over, scale aviation was on dis- 2013 play with many fine flights in the near dead calm over the lush green turf. Various members of Peter Jackson’s squadron were seen at great height whilst simultaneously Roy’s FE8 (electric) was performing 30 metre (dead straight) take off runs and slow stable flight. 66th Nationals F4A, Scramble

Roy Summersby’s FE.8 in flight.

After a couple of failed attempts eventual 66th Nats F4A winner Stan Mauger (NZ) persuaded his delightful Auster C4 (Antarctic) to ROG thus giving him a commanding margin over the others. (Tahn Stowe) While all this was taking place Robert Craine managed to send his A week out “Willy Weather’ predicted that Saturday July 6th would be Chrislea Super Ace due north and lodge in the top of a tall tree on the fine, sunny and have a wind speed of about 2-3 metres per second. bank of the Hawkesbury river, earning him the “Spectacular Arrival” With Stan Mauger, Ricky Bould and Don Spray from New Award. Tahn Stowe’s proved problematic during Zealand , Fred and Lillian Roberts and Gary Odgers from Victoria, taxiing trials and failed to qualify even after a hefty hand launch. Not Stan and Barbara Hinds from Canberra, Robert Craine and Rosemary so Gary Odgers’s Sopwith Dove which flew most realistically and apart from Lake Macquarie plus all the local contestants present the first from no ROG scored highly with day 2 flight judges Reg Towel and part of the forecast was correct however the wind speed was much Walter Bolliger. stronger.

Hot soup and bread rolls prepared by Di Hannah and Roy Summersby helped to warm the winter chill and the static judges were glad of the poly-tarp behind their chairs that formed a makeshift wind break. Many chose not to fly, the exception being Stan Hinds, who gave flight judges Peter Scott and Walter Bolliger something to do whilst static judges Jim Christie and Geoff Potter scrutinized the models and docu- mentation protected from the icy breeze. By mutual agreement, and a promised “perfect day” forecast , the scale flying was left to Sunday, although this didn’t stop Gary Odgers from flying his Madcap and Black Magic models.

The sumptuous dinner at the Hawkesbury Race Club Motel was at- tended by almost 30, with guests of honour Pauline and Charlie Sali- ba. As owners of the turf farm on which we fly ,the NSWFFS is appre- ciative of their continuing generosity and as a token of this President, Gary Odgers’ Sopwith Dove is a reliable performer. Terry Bond presented Pauline with a large bouquet of flowers. Sunday morning dawned cold and clear with a slight northerly breeze and the day’s events kicked off with the postponed 66th Nats one hour Power Scramble.

page 24 Australian Model News Similarly Fred Roberts had his 504K flying well , as did Ricky Bould with his venerable Auster AOP 9 and newcomer to Richmond, Don Spray with his Heinkel He 46.

Meanwhile all over the field all manner of models were being flown including Andy Luckett of “Oily Hand Day” fame flying a Cox 049 powered fully aerobatic profile Sabre CL model, Phil Mitchell with an electronic LDA bunt F1A glider, Peter Norrie with his OD high thrust line profile sport model, and John Goodwin ( accompanying photographs) with a “Flying Washboard”.

The Reg Jude Memorial rubber scale trophy was finally wrested from Phil Warren (flying a newly completed Westland Wendover) A model of the less well known Gloster Gannet by Gary Odgers. by Roy Summersby’s FW 152H, followed closely by Fred Rob- erts with his diminutive DH Moth Minor. Nats medals, certificates and books (donated by Peter Jackson and Tahn Stowe) were presented to the winners. (Nats medals and goodie bags not presented will follow by snail mail).

NSWFFS registrar and life member Barry Lee had brought out the BBQ and a hearty lunch was topped off with lamingtons sup- plied by Lynn Towel and fruitcake supplied by Noelene Mitchell.

Visitors over the 2 days included Dave Simons , Max Alexander, Steven Murray, Kevin Davis, Lloyd Willis, Andrew Diduszko and Robert and Michael Cranfield amongst many more. If you missed it you should be kicking yourself as it was described by some, as a “magical” weekend. Still, there is always next year, so put it in This Brandenburg 29 by Roy Summersby is an unusual subject for modelling. your I-phone, I-pad, android ‘whatsitsname’ but make sure you plan to be in Richmond first weekend in July (5-6th) 2014.

Australian Model News page 25 Victorian Free Flight Mike Hardy’s Blackburn Monoplane. Scale Championship 2013

(Report by Vin Morgan with photos by John Hill)

Gary Odgers with his SE.5A and Gloustershire Gannet. The Gannet was a production of the Gloustershire Aircraft Company, the original name of The Victorian State Championships for Scale were held at the the company that later became the , designers Westcoast Soarers Leopold field on Sunday June 30. and builders of the Gloster E-28/39, Britain’s first jet aircraft, and the , Britain’s first production jet fighter.

Fred Roberts organized the day and four competitors turned up with RESULTS ten models. The models were all of a high standard with judges Peter Greenhill and Vin Morgan pondering for some time over the criteria: general, fidelity, colour, detail, workmanship and flight. COMPETITOR MODEL STATIC FLIGHT TOTAL

BLACKBURN M. HARDY 40.5 30 70.5 1 The day was fine and reasonably calm early, however, as predicted, MONOPLANE the wind rapidly became stronger. The best flights were naturally made early and recalcitrant motors led to late flights in a bit too much G. SUNDERLAND BE.2C 43 20 63 2 wind for scale models. The best flight was Mike Hardy’s Blackburn Monoplane (do fly better??). Gary Sunderland’s DH4 F. ROBERTS 36.5 25 61.5 3 looked good with lots of detail but the flight, which started well, ended in a tight right turn and a lot of damage on impact. His Avro - Duigan G. ODGERS SE.5A 39.5 20 59.5 4 made a long if slightly stally flight in the wind, which ended in the lake at the far end of the field. The wind blew it across to the other side GLOUSTERSHIRE G. ODGERS 39 15 54 5 where it was recovered undamaged. Gary said it was in better shape GANNET than after a normal landing which usually knocks the u/c back. Unfor- tunately the model spent quite a lot of time in the lake so it missed M. HARDY 37 DNF 37 6 static judging. G. SUNDERLAND AVRO-DUIGAN 0 25 25 7 Gary Odgers’ Gloster Gannet received a good static score but its flight was not so good and ended with minor damage. Mike Hardy played F. ROBERTS DH MOTH MINOR 18.5 4 22.5 8 safe and didn’t fly the Avro Avis. Fred Roberts’ Avro 504 flies well and its flight score elevated it to 3rd place. G. ODGERS BA SWALLOW 0 0 0 9

It was a nice day. We should do it again. G. SUNDERLAND DH.4 0 0 0 10

page 26 Australian Model News Gary Sunderland’s BE.2C Fred Roberts’ Avro 504.

Static judging under way. Note the tiny DH Moth Minor of Fred Roberts between the Blackburn Monoplane and the Avro 504.

Mike Hardy with his Avro 562 Avis.

Australian Model News page 27 page 28 Australian Model News Australian Model News page 29 page 30 Australian Model News The Polikarpov’s of the Alpine Fighter Collection

Back in 1998 Barrie Reaby visited Wanaka, NZ and took these pictures of the Polikarpov I-153 biplanes and I-16 monoplanes rebuilt in Russia to original specifications, imported by Sir Tim Wallis for his Alpine Fighter Collection, and displayed in flight at the Wings Over Wanaka air show for a number of years.

Following Sir Tim’s serious accident while flying his Spitfire in 1996, most of the Collection has now been sold with the last airworthy aircraft, a Hawker Hurricane, going to France in February 2013.

One each of the Polikarpov I-153 and I-16 remain in the NZ Fighter Pilots Museum on static display.

Australian Model News page 31 The Polikarpov’s of the Alpine Fighter Collection

VICSCALE Victorian Flying Scale Aircraft Association The Special Interest Group for Scale Modelling in Victoria.

General Meetings of the Association are held bi-monthly on the first Thursday of the even months at the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria, 1 Gardenia Street, Blackburn. Visitors are always wel- come and a highlight of meetings is the presentation of new models as they are constructed, and discussion on building techniques by members.

Brian Whellan with his scratch built Corby Starlet..

The VFSAA Calendar of events is available on the VFSAA website at http://vfsaa.org.au/

page 32 Australian Model News